Fitness balls add bounce to learning at WVa school

Sunday

Jan 25, 2009 at 12:01 AM

By JILLIAN E. KESNERThe Journal

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. (AP) — Dottie Pownall's classroom has been christened the "ball room" ever since she purchased fitness balls for her 27 students last month to be used in place of traditional desk chairs.

Pownall's class at Orchard View Intermediate was conducting a class science fair project on ways to help students learn when they came across an article about a study conducted by the Mayo Clinic, which indicated that the use of fitness balls improves students' concentration, creates less classroom noise and helps students become more fit.

Pownall applied for a $400 instructional improvement grant from Berkeley County Schools and started using the balls Dec. 15.

Pownall, who has been with Berkeley County Schools for seven years, said using the balls helps strengthen stomach muscles, improves posture and helps keep kids focused.

She gives students a choice of using a regular desk chair or the fitness ball.

Melissa Crowley, key communicator at the school, said students choose whether or not to use them each day based on what they're wearing or if they aren't feeling well and don't feel like bouncing.

"They choose to sit on it," Crowley said. "Having the option is really cool to them."

Pownall said there are rules for the balls. Students must keep their feet flat on the floor and they can't kick or throw the balls.

Pownall said that whenever she has a substitute coming in, she takes the balls out and lets another classroom use them. So far, at least one other classroom is hoping to purchase balls for their classroom.

"The principal seems pleased," Pownall said. "She's been very supportive."

Information from: The Journal, http://journal-news.net/

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.